Entering the Dairy Industry Awards has helped motivate Nathan Hubbard to focus on how he can improve his performance and progress his dairying career.

The 26-year-old, who was recently named Waikato Dairy Trainee of the Year for 2014 said he entered the competition to show future employers his dedication to the industry.

"I want to challenge my knowledge against others at the same level that are motivated and thriving to succeed like I am."

It was the second time he had entered the awards. After not making the top six on the first occasion, Hubbard said he was determined to do better this year.

"I wanted to try harder and study more and find out how to get into the top. Getting here was a huge reward and I felt that the effort I put in was rewarded for."

He believes in involving himself in the industry, attention to detail and increasing his dairy farming knowledge. Hubbard recently completed courses in herd management and farm safety.

He is in his third season dairy farming, assisting on a 480-cow Matamata farm owned by Cameron and Lynne HoughtonntsTnte.

Hubbard completed his automotive apprenticeship in Christchurch before switching to dairy farming after the earthquakes and now aims to increase equity and progress through the industry to ultimately become a farm owner. He is married to Rebecca and they have a toddler.

He urged other trainees to enter the awards as way of testing themselves against others and meet positive people that want to go further in the industry.

He hopes to climb through the industry as a manager, then sharemilking before one day owning his own farm.